Yale News reported on a recent Yale study that found HIV-infected women had a more difficult time achieving optimal treatment outcomes after they were released from prison. The study, which examined treatment outcome differences by gender, found that six months after release from jail, women were considerably less apt to acquire any of the HIV treatment goals considered to be needed for optimal health.

The study explained those outcomes to be: meeting regularly with an HIV-care provider, gaining access to antiretroviral therapy, and maintaining viral suppression, which reduces HIV transmission to others. Women were found to obtain viral suppression half as much as their male counterparts. Not controlling viral load can also lead to a number of health problems.

Advertisement

"Women living with HIV and transitioning from jail often have severe psychiatric and substance use disorders that interfere with healthcare engagement. We have identified a gender-specific resource gap for people with HIV leaving jail and returning to communities," said first author Jaimie Meyer, M.D., of the infectious diseases section of Yale School of Medicine.

The US HIV epidemic has a strong connection to the criminal justice system, with one-sixth of all HIV-infected people experiencing jail or prison annually. Meyer and her partner study authors advocate that future HIV prevention strategies be customized to the specific needs of women in the criminal justice system.

(Please note: Your name and comment will be public, and may even show up in Internet search results. Be careful when providing personal information! Beforeadding your comment, please read TheBody.com's Comment Policy.)

The Body is a service of Remedy Health Media, LLC, 750 3rd Avenue, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10017. The Body and its logos are trademarks of Remedy Health Media, LLC, and its subsidiaries, which owns the copyright of The Body's homepage, topic pages, page designs and HTML code. General Disclaimer: The Body is designed for educational purposes only and is not engaged in rendering medical advice or professional services. The information provided through The Body should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, consult your health care provider.